Toilet flush system

ABSTRACT

A toilet flush system for use in a toilet tank. In one embodiment, the toilet flush system includes: a handle system, and a dual flush adapter having a hollow interior. The dual flush adapter defines first and second apertures and an adapter outlet, the dual flush adapter further comprises first and second flush valves. The first and second flush valves reversibly seal the first and second apertures. The first aperture is located proximal to the adapter outlet and below the second aperture. The first and second flush valves are in fluid communication with the adapter outlet. The handle system comprises a first handle and a second handle. The first and second handles are arranged such that they rotate independently of each other about a common axis of rotation. Rotating the first and second handles respectively open the first and second flush valves to provide a short and long flush.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a toilet flush system having two flushvalves, wherein they are arranged for selectively releasing either allor a preselected portion of water in a toilet tank for providing a shortor long flush.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toilet flush systems use water to clear away human waste from toiletbowls. Without such systems civilization would rapidly succumb todiseases such as dysentery. The health of the very young, old and thosewith compromised immune systems would be deleteriously harmed absentaccess to efficient flush toilet systems.

Regardless of their undisputed value in maintaining a civilized andhealthy society, toilet flush systems impose a burden on communities,particularly in geographical areas where water resources are stretchedor dwindling. There is a continuing need for flush toilet systems thatuse less water while still meeting their intended purpose of providingan efficient means of handling human waste.

U.S. Publication No. 20030014810, published Jan. 23, 2003 to Jarosinskiet al., describes an adapter for attachment to an existing single flushvalve system to convert the single valve system to a dual flush valvesystem. The Jarosinski device comprises a pair of tubular sectionsvertically offset from one another and connected by a hollow, enclosedchannel. The upper section is adapted to engage a discharge pipe of anexisting single flush valve system in order to select a discharge levelfor a lower volume flush and direct water flowing through the dischargepipe through the adapter. The bottom section of the adapter includes apivotable flapper valve that can be operated independently of theflapper valve disposed on the single flush system in order to provide agreater volume of water for flushing of the toilet. A mountingarrangement is also provided for attachment to the toilet tank whichenables the existing and additional flapper valves to be selectivelyactivated using a pair of handles connected to the arrangement.

U.S. Publication No. 20020148037, published Oct. 17, 2002 to Bellmore,describes a flush valve system constructed of a single housing having atleast two inlets fluidly connecting a single outlet. Preferably, thesystem includes a flush handle assembly having at least two handlesmechanically connected to and at least two linkages. Both linkages passthrough a sleeve assembly, which mounts in the standard mount holeprovided on conventional gravity flush toilet tanks to provide effectivecontrol for the dual inlet flush valve. The inlets are sealed with aprimary and a secondary flapper valve that are preferably connected by achain or other link to the at least two linkages. This system permitsthe user to conserve water by selective flushing of a large or smallvolume of water.

U.S. Publication No. 20050283894, published Dec. 29, 2005 to Oliver,describes a two stage toilet tank bowl control system includes a tankball selectively positioned on the valve seat in the water tank. Thetank ball is linked to a lifting lever so as to raise the tank ball fromthe seat when the lifting lever is rotated in its flushing direction. Anair outlet tube communicates with the interior of the tank ball topermit air to be exhausted from the interior of the tank ball. The airtube communicates with a passageway in a air flow block mounted to thewall of the water tank. The passageway has a full flush branch and apartial flush branch. A partial flush valve maintains the partial flushbranch closed during conditions of full flush. A full flush handle movesthe lifting lever in its flushing direction with the partial flush valvemaintained in a closing condition against the outlet of the partialflush branch. A partial flush handle moves the lifting lever in itsflushing direction in such a manner as to remove the partial flush valvefrom the partial flush branch outlet so that air is purged at a greaterflow rate from the tank ball under partial flush conditions than underfull flush conditions to return the tank ball to its closing position onthe valve seat in a shorter period of time than under full flushconditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A toilet flush system for use in a toilet tank. In one embodiment, thetoilet flush system includes: a handle system, and a dual flush adapterhaving a hollow interior. The dual flush adapter defines first andsecond apertures and an adapter outlet, the dual flush adapter furthercomprises first and second flush valves. The first and second flushvalves reversibly seal the first and second apertures. The firstaperture is located proximal to the adapter outlet and below the secondaperture. The first and second flush valves are in fluid communicationwith the adapter outlet. The first flush valve and second flush valveare arranged such that when the toilet flush system is in use, the firstand second flush valves respectively provide a long flush and a shortflush. The first and second flush valves are independently movablebetween an open position and a closed position. The handle systemcomprises a first handle and a second handle, wherein the first andsecond handles are arranged such that they rotate independently of eachother about a common axis of rotation. The first and second handles arerespectively operably connected to the first and second flush valves.Rotating the first handle opens the first flush valve to provide a longflush, and rotating the second handle opens the second flush valve toprovide a short flush.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a toilet flush systemaccording to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toilet flush system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a front partial cut-away view of the toilet flush systemshown in FIG. 1, but with a first flush valve in an open configuration.

FIG. 4 shows a front partial cut-away view of the toilet flush systemshown in FIG. 1, but with a second flush valve in an open configuration.

FIG. 5 is a front partial cut-away view of a toilet flush system showingan optional flap device.

FIG. 6 shows a dual flush adapter having a different shape from the dualflush adapter shown in FIGS. 1 through 5.

FIG. 7A shows a partial cutaway top view of first and second handlesaccording to the invention.

FIG. 7B shows a top sectional view of the first and second handles ofFIG. 7A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a toilet flush system having two flushvalves (first and second flush valves), wherein the flush valves arearranged to provide a short or long flush. The toilet flush system ofthe invention is denoted generally by the numeral “100” and derivativesthereof are denoted with alpha-numeric labels such as 100 a and 100 b.

Referring to the FIGURES in general, the toilet flush system 100comprises a handle system 110, and a dual flush adapter 120. The dualflush adapter 120 includes first 140 and second 160 flush valves, andadapter outlet 180. In normal use, the adapter outlet 180 communicateswith a toilet tank outlet TTO. The flush valves 140 and 160 are arrangedto provide a short or long flush. The first and second flush valves 140and 160 are independently movable between an open position and a closedposition. The first and second flush valves 140 and 160 are operablycoupled to a first handle 240 and a second handle 260, respectively.First 240 and second 260 handles form part of a handle system 110.

The handle system 110 comprises first and second handles 240 and 260.The first and second handles 240 and 260 rotate independently of eachother about a common axis of rotation 280. The first and second handles240 and 260 are operably connected to the first and second flush valves140 and 160, respectively. Rotating the first handle 240 opens the firstflush valve 140 to provide a long flush. Rotating the second handle 260about opens the second flush valve 160 to provide a short flush. It isexpected that the human user will use the short flush for the purpose offlushing-away liquid waste (urine) and the long flush for dealing withsolid waste (fecal matter) or a mixture of liquid/solid waste.

FIG. 1 shows an environmental, perspective view of one embodiment of theflush system 100 installed inside a toilet tank TT.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, which show a first embodiment of thepresent invention, of which FIG. 1 shows an environmental, perspectiveview of one embodiment of the flush system 100 installed inside a toilettank TT; the toilet tank TT is a typical toilet tank having side walls,an overflow pipe OP, and a toilet tank outlet TTO. FIG. 2 shows aperspective view of the flush system 100 according to the invention.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 5 of which FIG. 3 shows the toiletflush system 100 fitted inside a toilet tank TT. The toilet flush systemincludes a handle system 110, and a dual flush adapter 120. The dualflush adapter 120 has a hollow interior 122 (shown in FIG. 5). The dualflush adapter 120 defines first 124 and second 126 apertures and anadapter outlet 180. The dual flush adapter 120 further comprises first140 and second 160 flush valves. The first 140 and second 160 flushvalves reversibly seal the first 124 and second 126 apertures,respectively.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the first aperture 124 is located proximal tothe adapter outlet 180 and below the second aperture 126. Any suitablemeans can be used to mate the adapter outlet 180 to the inside of thetoilet tank outlet TTO. For example, any suitable water resistant sealor adhesive can be used to provide a watertight joint.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the first and second flush valves140 and 160 are in fluid communication with the adapter outlet (180).Thus, if either (or both) of the flush valves 140 and 160 are opened,water in the toilet tank TT would, under the influence of gravity, flowthrough the dual flush adapter 120 and exit through the adapter outlet180.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the first flush valve 140 andsecond flush valve 160 are arranged such that when the toilet flushsystem 100 is in use, the first 140 and second 160 flush valves providea long flush and a short flush, respectively. The first 140 and second160 flush valves are independently movable between an open position anda closed position and are in fluid communication with the adapter outlet180.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the handle system 110 comprises afirst handle 240 and a second handle 260. The first 240 and second 260handles are arranged such that they rotate independently of each otherabout a common axis of rotation 280. The first 240 and second 260handles are respectively operably connected to the first 140 and second160 flush valves. Rotating the first handle 240 opens the first flushvalve 140 to provide a long flush, and rotating the second handle 260opens the second flush valve 260 to provide a short flush.

Any suitable means can be used to operably connect the first 240 andsecond 260 handles to the first 140 and second 160 flush valves. Forexample, first and second chains can operably connect the first andsecond handles 240 and 260 to the first and second flush valves 140 and160, respectively. Alternatively, a combination of chains and elongatedmembers, as shown in FIG. 3, can be used to operably connect the firstand second handles 240 and 260 to the first and second flush valves 140and 160.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 5 and FIG. 3 in particular, the firsthandle 240 is connected to the first flush valve 140 by means ofelongated member 142 coupled to a chain 144, and the second handle 260is connected to the second flush valve 160 by means of elongated member146 coupled to a chain 148.

An optional flap 300 can be located inside the dual flush adapter 120 asshown in FIG. 5. The optional flap 300 is designed to resistantly directwater from whichever flush valve 140 or 160 is open to the adapteroutlet 180 and thence to the toilet tank outlet TTO. The flap 300 mayincorporate a biased spring hinge 320, which ensures the flap 300 canresist water flow in an undesired direction; for example, when the lowerflush valve 140 is open water, the flap 300 helps prevent water backingup towards the upper flush valve 160 thereby directing tank water W tothe adapter outlet 180 and thence into the toilet tank outlet TTO.

The exact shape of the dual flush adapter 120 can vary withoutdetracting from the spirit of the invention as exemplified in FIG. 6where the adapter 120 adopts a general L shaped configuration.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the first handle 240 handle defines first400 and second 420 opposite ends, and the second handle 260 handledefines first 440 and second 460 opposite ends. The second end 460 ofthe second handle includes a hollow bore 480 that encompasses the commonaxis of rotation 280. The second end 420 of the first handle 240 isconnected to a shaft 500 that fits inside bore 480 such that the firsthandle 240 rotates through an arc independently of the second handle260. The shaft 500 (and hence first handle 240) is shown operablyconnected to the elongated member 142. The second handle 260 is operablyconnected to elongated member 146.

The first and second handles 240 and 260 are operably connected to thefirst 140 and second 160 flush valves such that rotating the firsthandle 240 opens the first flush valve 140 and rotating the secondhandle 260 opens the second flush valve 160. Opening the first flushvalve 140 allows a long flush and opening the second flush valve 160allows a short flush.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above or as shown in the attached figures, butencompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the attachedclaims.

1. A toilet flush system (100) for use in a toilet tank (TT),comprising: a handle system (110); and a dual flush adapter (120) havinga hollow interior (122), the dual flush adapter (120) defines first(124) and second (126) apertures and an adapter outlet (180), the dualflush adapter (120) further comprises first (140) and second (160) flushvalves, wherein the first (140) and second (160) flush valves reversiblyseal the first (124) and second (126) apertures, wherein the firstaperture (124) is located proximal to the adapter outlet (180) and belowthe second aperture (126), wherein the first and second flush valves(140 and 160) are in fluid communication with the adapter outlet (180),wherein the first flush valve (140) and second flush valve (160) arearranged such that when the toilet flush system (100) is in use, thefirst (140) and second (160) flush valves respectively provide a longflush and a short flush, wherein the first (140) and second (160) flushvalves are independently movable between an open position and a closedposition, wherein the handle system (110) comprises a first handle (240)and a second handle (260), wherein the first (240) and second (260)handles are arranged such that they rotate independently of each otherabout a common axis of rotation (280), and wherein the first (240) andsecond (260) handles are respectively operably connected to the first(140) and second (160) flush valves, whereby rotating the first handle(240) opens the first flush valve (140) to provide a long flush, androtating the second handle (260) opens the second flush valve (260) toprovide a short flush.
 2. The toilet flush system (100) according toclaim 1, wherein the first (240) and second (260) handles each havefirst and second opposite ends, wherein the first and second handlesrotate independently of each other through an arc about a common axis ofrotation located at the second end of each of the first and secondhandles, wherein the second end of the second handle includes a hollowbore that encompasses the common axis of rotation, wherein the secondend of the first handle is connected to a shaft that fits inside thehollow bore such that the first handle rotates through an arcindependently of the second handle, wherein the first and second handlesare operably connected to the first and second flush valves such thatrotating the first handle opens the first flush valve and rotating thesecond handle opens the second flush valve, wherein opening the firstflush valve allows a long flush and opening the second flush valveallows a short flush.
 3. The toilet flush system according to claim 1,wherein rotating the first and second handles simultaneously alsosimultaneously opens the first and second flaps.